12 Reasons Strong Couples Don't Need To Celebrate Valentine's Day

Most serious couples are straight-up good at love, and they would have to be, in order to stay together for an extended period of time. And long-term couples don't need to celebrate Valentine's Day in order to validate their bond, because Valentine's Day is just a day. It has become a highly commercialized day of forced love.

Having a date on this holiday has become a status symbol more than anything else. It means that you're somehow better, and more successful than your single friends — which is obviously outrageous. Single people can be just as happy as serious couples, and they shouldn't be boxed out of a major holiday simply because they're without a significant other.

Serious couples see right through the pink heart-covered BS that is Valentine's Day, and feel zero pressure to participate. After spending a long period of time loving someone, there are so many other things to celebrate than a calendar day that dictates how to show your love for your special someone. But real love and unwavering commitment to another person should be celebrated far beyond a dozen roses and a pair of Cupid boxers. Here are all the reasons why strong couples don't need to celebrate Valentine's Day.

1. They don't need romance to be forced

Valentine's Day is a day in which couples are basically forced to evaluate their status, and profess their undying love for each other. Strong couples do that at their own pace, and don't need a specific day in which to do so.

2. Spontaneous affection is way more fun

Strong couples know that it's so much more romantic to surprise their significant other with gifts and love notes pretty much any other day of the year. Those are the moments that will ultimately be cherished and remembered.

3. Valentine's Day is a ridiculous rip off

Ugh. Prix fixe menus, markups on roses, and greeting cards that don't come anywhere near to accurately portraying the love of a strong couple. It's all useless and so not worth the money.

4. The holiday comes with unfair pressure

It's become a thing to share your Valentine's Day haul with your friends and coworkers the following day, like the tangible goodies matter more than the person you're with. "What did you get? Oh really? I got a diamond necklace." Strong couples are above this ish.

5. Crowds are not romantic

There's nothing romantic about being surrounded by other couples who feel the same awkward pressure to define their relationship and one-up each other with shiny toys wrapped in red and pink paper. It's actually the least romantic setting ever, to be out on a Valentine's Day date.

6. There are many other special days to celebrate instead

The first time you and your significant other kissed, or had sex, or said "I love you." Those are the days that should be marked on the calendar and celebrated between the two of you. Strong couples know this, and Valentine's Day is the least important love day on the list.

7. It's such a crappy day for singles

Holidays should never serve as a cruel way to alienate half of the population just because those people happen to be single in the middle of February. It's very high school, when you think about it.

8. They know romantic love is not the only important love

Self love is more important than romantic love. And you can't fall deeply in love with someone else and stay there until you learn how to properly love yourself. Strong couples understand how hard it is to practice self love, and they value that above all else. Why isn't there a holiday for that?

9. It's just a day like any other

Strong couples probably wouldn't be bummed if they realized on Feb. 15 that they missed Valentine's Day. It's just another day. And it doesn't really matter.

10. Typical Valentine's Day gifts kind of suck

Does anyone really want stuffed animals holding hearts, roses that will soon die, or a box of chocolates that are 50 percent disgusting and fruit-filled? The answer is no.

11. Sometimes it's more fun to boycott societal norms

Rebelling against something as superficial as Valentine's Day with your love by your side is romantic in its own way.

12. Because having a Valentine is a meaningless, superficial goal

Having a roof over your head, money to buy food, your health, good friends, reliable family members — all of this is far more important than having a date on a specific day each year. Strong couples know the value in the truly important things, and know how lucky they are to have the things that matter.

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